Our (hi)story

THE STORY BEHIND THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL WALDORF SCHOOL IN THE NETHERLANDS

Our history

The Waldorf School the Hague (De Vrije School Den Haag) was founded in 1923, with the support and blessing of Rudolf Steiner, the founder of the first Waldorf school in Switzerland. Over the years the school has grown, acquired its own building designed around the aesthetics and philosophy of the Waldorf approach, and seen generations of teachers and children. Throughout the years it has always managed to stay true to its origins. The International Waldorf School of The Hague is created with that same Waldorf spirit and intention.

1919-2019, 100 years Waldorf education!

Over the years, Waldorf education has spread throughout the world. There are approximately 1200 Waldorf schools in over 70 countries worldwide, today. While all schools prepare to celebrate the centenary, we feel we are a living dynamic movement.

The Hague, an international city

Over the past decades, The Hague has become the international capital for Justice and Peace, host to the International Court of Justice, Eurojust and OPCW. Large multinational companies such as Shell have chosen to establish their main office in this beautiful city.

Demand for international education

In 2017 we recognized a clear demand for an International Waldorf School where our pedagogy could be made available to non-Dutch speaking children who move across the world with their parents. After a thorough study, we were granted permission (and funding) by the Ministry of Education in The Netherlands to establish the school and we are now ready to welcome our first pupils!

About us

The International Waldorf School of The Hague is a non-profit international primary school with a distinct educational vision. Engagement with societal developments in sustainability, peace, justice, and wellbeing plays a key role in shaping our educational programme.